How I Rose Above The Challenges to Achieve My Aviation Dream

I started my aviation journey by mere aircraft spotting, during which I developed interest in becoming a pilot. In the village whenever we were cultivating at the farm, I would always stop at hearing the noise of a plane passing at 35,000 ft above. I would joke with my mother that one day I will be flying (with) those birds.

My mother was a house wife and actually wasn't that much educated. She would just encourage me by telling me "those are kids of women up there but it was their hardwork and displine that took them there". I was just a mare plane spotter but deep inside my heart I had that "Aviation bug" in me.

When I finished high school I really wanted to become a pilot. I went through all the piloting schools in Nairobi, but the fees were never anything I could see myself making. I was called to join the University to do my Bachelor in Commerce (BCom).

My aviation love carried me through. For me, the best place to hang out during my free time was the airport, just to watch planes. I successfully finished my 4-year degree in the university. But while in the university, I had friends who were attending piloting classes at various aviation schools. I used to envy them, but I knew I didn't have the money to do pilot training.

I started researching on other career options in the aviation field, and I fell in love with "Plane Fixing" job. I started saving for same from my pocket money and small side hustle jobs I could get while in the university. Before I graduated with my BCom, I had some few coins to start up my Aeronautical Engineering program at the East African School (EASA) of Aviation in Nairobi.

I didn't involve my family on this new career line because I was sure of my humble background. Paying school fees for me in the university was already difficult for them. In fact, at a point, things became too difficult at EASA that I deferred my second year because of lack of funds. I was already in the second semester of my second year when the school refused me to continue with my second year due to outstanding balance of my tuition fees. So I was forced to defer the whole year, but I had a determined mind.

After deferring my second year, I got a job to support myself. During that period, I worked for 7 months as a supermarket attendant before I went back to school. And even after I went back to school, I was still doing a part-time job to make some more cash. I worked on night shifts and during the day I went to school for lectures.

By the grace of God, in 2016, I graduated from the East African School of Aviation with a diploma in Aeronautical Engineering. After graduation, it was difficult securing job due to lack of experience and connections. To gain experience, I had to do internships and voluntary works without salary, but God opened a door for me.

Today I don't just spot airplanes, I am a self-made aircraft technician. I fix aircraft and I have limitless free travels on them. There is so much we can be in the Aviation industry. For now, I'm working with Jambojet as a Maintenance Apprentice in a programme the airline introduced to train and build capacity for their own present and future Aviation Engineers.

Although I'm happy fixing planes, I haven't lost my passion in becoming a pilot and I still stand strong. Maybe, just maybe, one day I will roll a bird up in the sky. Never Give Up!